Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

Brett Favre may not have wanted to be a mentor to Aaron Rodgers after the Packers drafted him in 2005, but now that the ol' gunslinger's officially retired from the NFL, he's had a chance to reflect on his career. That includes his final years in Green Bay, when the organization tried to gently transition from Hall of Famer to up-and-comer … except that Favre was having none of it.

In the end, it all got very messy, with the fake-retirement press conferences, the one-year stint with the Jetsthat only made things worse, and the ultimate slap in the face to Green Bay: playing for the division rival Vikings. (Karma: leading Minnesota to the NFC Championship game … only to throw a back-breaking, game-deciding interception.)

But bygones are bygones, and the kindler, gentler Favre spoke about the high-powered Packers offense, and the finely tuned engine behind it all, Aaron Rodgers (via SportsRadioInterviews.com):

I’m going to be honest, I was not surprised [about Rodgers' performance]. The biggest surprise to me would be that he didn’t do it sooner. It’s funny how people can get over time -- my last year in Green Bay prior to the first game -- I made the remark that this was probably the most talented team that I’ve ever played on. And of course everyone looked up and was like ‘this guy’s off his rocker.’

We were very, very young; take me out of the mix and we were by far the youngest team in the league. But I could see the talent pool across the board was outstanding. Now our season kind of ended up being a reflection of that. We came close, and I think we took a lot of people by surprise, but guys emerged rather quickly.

Aaron had a chance…even though the last couple years it’s seemed like he’s almost a rookie, he’s been around awhile. And I’d like to think that he watched, he learned, and then when he got a chance to play, he brought in his ability which is obviously very good or they wouldn’t have drafted him in the first round. He’s got tremendous talent, he’s very bright and he got a chance to watch and see successful teams do it right.

And so he just kind of fell into a good situation. On top of that, he’s a good player. I don’t think there’s any pressure on him now, the talent around him is even better than when I was there. So I’m really kind of surprised it took him so long. In the early part of last year season, it hadn’t quite clicked yet and I didn’t know it would. I just kind of figured when they hit their stride, they’re going to be hard to beat. And that’s what happened.

The Cliffs Notes version of Favre's longwinded remarks: "Aaron Rodgers is obviously good, but he's also the beneficiary of watching me play so awesomely for so long. Plus, the team he has now is WAY better than anything I had to work with. So, yeah, he doesn't have any pressure on him."

CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman is understandably apoplectic. "[Favre] can't leave it alone. Can't just wear his Wranglers. Can't go fishin' or do his textin'. Has to chime in knowing it's probably going to irk Rodgers. Unbelievable."

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

Brent who?

Since: Oct 5, 2011

Posted on: October 5, 2011 7:59 am

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

I really can't believe Farve went there! Farve won 1 Superbowl and he should have won/got in a whole lot more! I've defended Farve forever! Even when he went to Minnesota! Lets not forget how many times Farve KEPT US OUT OF SUPERBOWL WITH HIS TERRIBLE INTERCEPTIONS!! Brett, please just be quiet and ride your tractor into the sunset. Come back to Green Bay next year and let us retire your number and put you in the Packer Ring Of Honor. As a matter of fact, come back opening nght and shake Aarons hand as he and his teamates celebrate their repeat winning another Superbowl!!! Either that or just go away. I'm embarressed for you!

Since: Dec 25, 2007

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:25 am

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

Favre needs to just go away. What is really killing Favre is that Rodgers is on the brink of making Favre a distant memory in 90% of all Packer fans. Favre could have been the great QB who humbly passed the torch to his replacement. But nope he had to be a prick and tried to split ther fan base. At this point in Rodgers time as GB's QB Favre was getting drunk, popping pills and pounding sluts with his teamamtes. Rodgers is winning SUPER BOWLS with his.

ONCE AGAIN BRETT SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND JUST GO AWAY!!!!!!!!

Since: Jan 3, 2008

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:22 am

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

12>4!

Since: Nov 15, 2010

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:20 am

A new era................... am happy with Rogers

What a breath of fresh air you bring!!! I'll even agree that Rodgers does handle himself with maturity. I don't hardily dislike the fella like the over-rated Hasselback but he's not my Matty Ryan (who's contending with his woes right now). Rogers is putting up phenom numbers..... and WOW what a great thing for the Pack!!! Lam would be proud!!!!! Here, here to Rodgers!!!

Since: Nov 15, 2010

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:12 am

Yeah xrisanderson!!!! Go Rogers...

Since: Nov 15, 2010

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:10 am

Rogers Favre Aikmann (sp) Starr......

The "batton" must be passed from one to the other and back in the 'ole days... my kids would say I watched dinosaurs hatching, there wasn't twitter, e-mail, "online", etc. The players were players and weren't so closely inspected by a barrage of "media hype"................. Thank GOD or Boomer may never have made it to CBS (I adored watching him play but I'll bet he made an odd remark or two that wasn't cast about via satelite). I look on with interest regarding what he has to say, as with Cowher, etc. (And what about Ditka if his life were put under such a microscope? Or Sweetness?) Only a super star (Favre) would demand this much belly-aching in this media environment. I listened with horror as I heard Howard Kossel make his comment about, "monkey jump", knowing that my beloved commentator would be misunderstood and run off the air in the 80's. Favre, as awkward as he seems has always been a bit awkward on TV. I believe he's being "over-dissed" because of his BAD (and, yes, I agree - Bad) years.

Since: May 8, 2007

Posted on: October 5, 2011 12:04 am

Favre surprised it took Rodgers 'so long' to win

I haven't read any other comments below, so forgive me if I'm repeating some remarks already made. But I'm going to resist the temptation to rip on Favre, and rather celebrate Rodgers. I believe the article is right at the end, Rodgers won't even acknowledge it. Even though Rodgers has a long way to go before he equals the career that Favre put together, it's not going to take long before his legacy in Green Bay equals Favre... and ol' Brett can't like that. Fortunately for those of us that are fans of the Green and Gold, our current QB is a little more mature than his predecessor.